Independent Schools Show 2009
- Article 4 of 5
- Action Network, October 2009
A child’s education is a huge responsibility for any parent. With more and more parents concerned about the quality of education in the state sector – or at least in the state sector in their area – independent schools are increasingly being considered as the best way for children to get the start in life they need.
Finding the right school can be difficult. That makes the Independent School Show, to be held in Battersea Park, London, between the 30th and 31st of October, a valuable opportunity.
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It gives parents the chance to talk face-to-face to representatives from more than 120 schools from the UK and the rest of the world in just one place. It also gives them the chance to meet with other organisations that can provide independent advice or tutoring and other activities for children, as well as to attend talks giving advice on important topics such as whether to pick a day school or a boarding school and whether to go for a single sex or co-ed school.
According to Camilla Smith, the show’s manager, the show should be even more popular than it was last year. “We had 2,500 families across the two days, but we’ve already had 3,500 sign up through our web site this year.” Smith says the increase is down to more targeted marketing, as well as a magazine the show’s organiser, Next Step Exhibitions, has been giving away with magazines published by Archant Life.
The show is also going to see at least the same number of schools and other organisations exhibiting as last year. “We have letters from schools delighted to have signed up with the show,” says Smith. “85% have rebooked which can only be a good thing in these times.” Exhibiting schools include such well-known institutions as Cheltenham College, Wellington College, Marlborough, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and Harrow. There’s also a mix of co-educational, single sex, day and boarding schools, as well as sixth-form colleges.
What will be different are the facilities at the event and some of the types of organisation. After getting feedback from parents last year, the show’s organisers will be including – as well as a champagne bar and networking reception for adults – more activities for children, including a soft play area and entertainment by Purple Dragon. Indeed, many parents visiting the show will often have babies or children as young as two with them, since prep schools and other exclusive schools start recruiting early.
Exhibiting organisations will also include schools from as far afield as Sydney and India as well as tutoring organisations. “We’re seeing an increase in the number of tutoring agencies,” says Smith. “It’s an area that’s really growing.”
“We noticed the same thing,” says David Spencer, director of Tutors International, which will be exhibiting at the show. “What jumped out at this year was the number of other tutoring companies exhibiting.” As well as Tutors International, Bonas Macfarlane, Enjoy Education and Fleet Tutors will have stands at the show.
Tutoring agencies can both supplement and be an alternative to schools, and are primarily becoming popular because of the ever-increasing competitiveness for places at top universities and for top-notch exam results. Most agencies offer hourly tutoring after school or at weekends, but Tutors International, offers full-time placements of tutors. “Tutoring is often needed when things go wrong or when people are between schools,” explains Spencer. “Some kids get bullied. Some get suspended or expelled. What happens when you move to Dubai and discover all the good schools are already taken for example?” Spencer cites the example of some parents who needed a married pair of tutors, who could speak Japanese, and who were prepared to go on a yacht cruise for a year – his company was able to successfully recruit tutors for the job.
With so many schools exhibiting, however, it can be difficult for parents to filter through all the information available to make a decision. A number of independent organisations will be available to offer advice, including consultancy Gabbitas Education, the Independent Schools Council information and advice service, the Ghost Schools Guide, The Parents Directories and the Boarding Schools’ Association.
Helen Moriarty, national director of the Boarding Schools’ Association who’ll be speaking during one of the education talks, says the association will be there to explain the modern face of boarding. “Some parents will want to know if it’s different from when they boarded. Some will just want to know what it’s like.” At last year’s exhibition, Moriarty found that many parents were unaware of the possibility of weekly boarding or that children who boarded would be allowed to stay in contact with their parents. And many have different motivations for sending their children to boarding school other than the perception of wanting to get the children ‘out of their hair’.
“London’s a very good area for boarding parents because there’s a perception that London’s not safe any more,” says Moriarty. “I have middle class colleagues with children who are 13, 14, 15 going to London day schools. They’ve had mobile phones stolen at tube stations with knives to their throats.” Working parents may be back at home at six or later, and children back at four; nannies will probably be inappropriate for teenagers, so weekly boarding offers a chance for teenagers to be looked after during the week, with the family reunited at weekends. “Parents can say to the children, ‘We’re all going to work hard all week, then at weekends, we can have fun together.’”
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